2011

Chanel Taupe 84 Stylo Yeux Waterproof

August 14, 2011

Chanel’s newest Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner is Taupe #84 ($29). It has been released in the US as part of the Sophisticated Eye Collection, a collection of new eyeshadows, eyeliners and tools (see entire collection lineup on Karla Sugar and featured on Chanel.com). I’m a huge fan of the Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliners. They’re waterproof, easy to apply, soft yet not too soft (as in gentle on the eyes) and I love that they come with a twist-up design. Taupe #84 is a complex color. It’s nothing like you would expect from the name. I anticipated a grey-brown to arrive. Instead, I found that Taupe #84 is an intriguing beautiful complex fusion of plum brown silver. I applied this alone on the eyes and it gives subtle but pretty definition to the eyes. The silver shimmer makes it slightly lighter than I anticipated. It will look lovely with light-to-medium shades. However, over darker colors, I think this will not show up. I do envision that it will make a great layering base for colors like Fauve and Taupe Gris to intensify the color or help extend the wear of powder shadows.

It’s quite unique as shown by a few comparisons to other liners: L to R, Chanel Rose Platine, Chanel Brun-Cuivré, Chanel Taupe, Urban Decay Underground, Chanel Violet Smoke, Chanel Berry, MAC Earthline

At first glance I thought it might seem similar to Dior’s Aztec Chocolate Nail Polish. It’s in the same color family but has quite a bit more silver making it look more purply than brown. Here it is also compared to Chanel Fauve and Taupe Gris Eyeshadows.

$29 is rather steep for an eyeliner, but the quality and uniqueness of this color makes it easy for me to justify. I like the color but the lightness/silver reflective quality of this makes it seem more of something I will use like a cream shadow rather than a definer. It will be lovely with lighter subtle colors or as a base for Fauve. For the lasting power, I put it on this morning (alone without any other shadows or base) around 8 am and it lasted until around 5 pm.

Also see Natural N Chic Makeup’s blog for her thoughts, swatches and comparisons.

11 Comments

Uncategorized

Chanel Tendresse 507 Le Vernis

August 13, 2011

Chanel has repromoted Tendresse #507 Le Vernis in their Aquarelles de Chanel collection. Tendresse is a soft sheer pink that was originally released in Spring 2010 (see review and comparisons here). I had this put on last week and for some reason it turned out warmer and sheerer on my nails than I remembered. I haven’t worn this shade in quite some time, I thought perhaps mine had faded slightly, but when I saw new testers at the counter they seemed to be the same as mine is now. It matched my strawberry pink macaron perfectly.

Here it is with two coats. It’s a lovely feminine glossy natural sheer pink. Lasting power is fairly decent (lasted a full week with slight tip-wear). If I were to do this manicure over again, I would have asked for three coats.

I paired it last week with Morning Rose on the toes.

It’s an easily dupeable color, but I love that it applies smoothly without streaks and gives a subtle polished look. No complaints on my end. Most pale pinks tend to look extremely pale and almost cream colored on my fingers. Tendresse is perfect for me.

9 Comments

Uncategorized

On My Reading List

August 13, 2011

Currently reading …

Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange – thanks to reviews from Café Makeup & Habitually Chic!
How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas – thanks to Laura R for the recommendation!
NARS Makeup Your Mind Express Yourself – inspired to try and re-create one of the looks as shown on Karla Sugar
Nathan Branch … I can’t narrow down just one post, his entire blog is a must-read
J.Crew has a new blog 770/Behind the Line
Brooklyn Blonde is another must-read for inspiration
Kendi Everyday mixes and matches (love everything!)
Into the Gloss interviews Jessica Stam to see what’s on her top shelf
Cute and Mundane does a lovely feature on NARS Luxor Multiple
The Ultimate Makeup gives a lovely preview of Le Metier de Beaute’s Silk Road Nail Polishes

What are you reading right now? Any books you’d like to recommend?

One last reminder, if you didn’t vote, please let me know if you are on Twitter at this poll posted here. Thanks!

11 Comments

Uncategorized

Fresh Sugar Honey Lip Treatment

August 12, 2011

I’ve been a huge fan of Fresh body care products and especially love their shower gels. They are the ultimate luxury and epitome of feel-good beauty. I’ve never ventured much into their makeup but the last time I was at South Coast Plaza, my friend said I just had to check out the Sugar Honey Lip Treatment. “It’s so you!” she said. After one swipe I was impressed by the pigmentation but the price of $22.50 combined with the fact that my tinted lip balms tend to gather dust in the drawer made me pass. Recently I was lucky to receive this as a gift. It is aptly described as “nourishment in the nude.” The color is a wonderful warm natural nude. The lip treatment has SPF15 and contains ingredients designed to hydrate and defend the lips against wrinkles.

Here it is swatched on my hand and on the lips.

The store displays at the Fresh Boutique at South Coast Plaza are always beautiful, although I typically buy my Fresh products from Neiman Marcus (it’s more convenient for me and they often have samples).

The pros: The pigment of this lipbalm is wonderfully rich. It covers the lip fully for a luscious nude glow. It has a great hydrating quality and smells absolutely delicious – like the name implies a sweet honey-sugary type of smell. An upside is the taste is fairly pleasant. Lasting power is average for a lip balm – the upside is that it fades evenly and naturally. (See Fresh’s website here for ingredient listing.)
The cons: Unfortunately the texture of this product is so soft, after the first swipe, the product gets smashed against the side. It’s simply too soft for a tube and after swiping it on the lips, the base broke (and I had only twisted it up a little). This was slightly heartbreaking. I think if it had a stiffer texture to prevent breakage or if this was packaged in a tub or squeeze tube it would have been an excellent purchase well worth the high price. For me, packaging is extremely important and lipstick breakage is a deal breaker for me. Yes, the product is still usable, but each time I twist the tube up, a mess is made on the side. I’m not sure if this is typical of all the Fresh Lip Treatments since I haven’t tried the other shades.

Overall, I will have to give this a thumbs down just because of the packaging/product design flaws. If you’ve tried this – what are your thoughts? Have you tried other colors? What have been your experiences?

Disclosure – this product was provided as a gift to me

17 Comments

Uncategorized

Chanel Gris Exquis Soft Touch Eyeshadow

August 11, 2011

Chanel Gris Exquis ($28.50) is a limited release from the Aquarelles collection. It’s described per Chanel as an “elegant dove grey, ideal for achieving soft, romantic eye looks.” I couldn’t describe it better. The finish is matte although it’s not completely flat in texture. On my skin it goes on very blueish. I applied this alone over eye cream this afternoon and initially I felt it made my skin/eyes look aged. Taking the tips from a few readers in the Beiges posts, I tried layering it. On one eye, I layered it with a softer brown, Chanel Slate, and it looked softer on the eyes. On the other, I layered Beiges highlighter and mixed/blended on top of the Gris Exquis. The result was a well put together look which softened the blue tones. For me, since I have olive tones (Asian skin), if shadows have any hint of blue-grey, I need shimmer or else I end up looking like death. I am glad that Gris Exquis layers well (I ordered it sight unseen from Bergdorfs) although if I had seen/tried it in person first I know I would have passed.

Here are two swatches, even with a heavy swatch you can see the finish is still very soft.

Looking at my collection of greys, I noticed that even my blue greys were not quite as blue as Gris Exquis for mattes. Here are some comparisons to others including Chanel Safari, Chanel Slate, Chanel Gris Exquis, NARS Notorious, MAC Apres Ski, MAC French Grey and Laura Mercier Stone Suede.

Overall, I agree with Chanel that it is a soft, romantic and elegant. If you love blue-toned shadows then this is one you will adore. I like it, but don’t love it simply because blue-grey mattes aren’t my thing. I need shimmer, although I will say this makes a nice layering shadow. Wearing this shade alone on eyes makes me look at least 5 years older. Did you try/buy this shade yet? What are your thoughts? If you love blue-grey mattes, how do you wear them?

One last shot of the 2 Aquarelles items I purchased: Gris Exquis and Beiges.

18 Comments

Uncategorized

Chanel Ombres Tissées in Beiges – Thoughts & Swatches

August 10, 2011

This morning I applied Chanel Beiges as a highlighter on the cheeks over Chanel Rose Petale Blush. It lasted all day and well into the evening. The powder underneath has a unique texture that’s almost creamy, but not quite. After swatching all three shades, I found that they all look fairly similar on my skin. Blending them together doesn’t really change the effect. What I see is a pale pearly highlighter with a beautiful shimmer. On tanned/darker skins this may show up as a white frost – but only because of the contrast from the pale powder to a darker skin tone. I think if I get a few shades darker this might be too light for the face. For the eyes though, I think it would suit a number of skintones. It makes the eyes just glow with the most beautiful refined shimmer and sparkle. I adore it!

Here are the swatches of the product (what’s underneath the glitter).

The colors look remarkably similar on the skin to Dior’s Limited Edition Pink and Peach Lace Powders from Spring 2010 (here).

Overall love. I don’t believe the Beiges palette will be a must-have for most women as the effect on the skin is not all that original in terms of the finish. There are other highlighters out there that will get you a very similar effect. However, it’s a stunning piece to own simply because of the design. Even though the pattern will disappear with use, the quality and long-lasting power on the cheeks is a huge plus for me. I didn’t like the glitter on the skin but it did add a beautiful finish to the powder for aesthetics/design. I am glad it was easy to remove. Bottom line, for Chanel lovers, like me, the Beiges highlighter is a must. My camera simply cannot capture the beautiful sparkle this powder gives to the skin, but on the eyes, it’s magical with the subtle extra twinkle that makes the skin just glow.

11 Comments

Uncategorized

Chanel Ombres Tissées Beiges from Les Aquarelles de Chanel

August 9, 2011

We’ve all been waiting for Les Aquarelles de Chanel for ages ever since we saw previews from the Chanel Couture show in Paris earlier this year. Café Makeup gave us the sneak preview of the whole collection. It has finally been released to Neiman Marcus and Chanel.com – I am waiting for news of other stores and boutiques that also might be getting this (will update when I find out). The Beiges highlighter is something I’ve been waiting to receive for eons. It’s a multi-purpose powdery-cream highlighter for eyes and cheeks. The product is pricey at $75 but the product is a work of art and in my opinion worth every penny.

Per Chanel, Ombres Tissées Beiges – Iridescent Effects Eyes:

“This unique illuminating powder from LES AQUARELLES DE CHANEL Makeup Collection adds captivating shimmer and iridescence to eyes and cheeks with pale pink and ivory tones. The harmony is embellished with a luminous layer of shimmer and embossed with an iconic woven tweed effect. Limited Edition.”

The design of this palette is simply exquisite. The top layer is heavily oversprayed with chunky glitter. Those who detest glitter (like me) will be happy to know it’s only the top layer and can easily be removed without damaging the beautiful quilted pattern by brushing a skunk brush over the top to remove the overspray.

Underneath you see three layers of soft pink and peach, the three blend together for a pale wash of highlight. I haven’t had chance to swatch or apply these on the eyes. I’m scared of ruining the beautiful texture! I will update later with swatches and further thoughts. In the meantime check out Front Row Beauty and Joeys’pace for their lovely thoughts, photos and reviews.